LoJack Helps LAPD Air Unit Recover Stolen Honda Pilot, Arrest One Suspect for Theft
- November 16, 2012
- recovery stories
On November 5, 2012, the owner of a 2006 Honda Pilot contacted the Santa Monica Police Department to report that his vehicle had been stolen. Santa Monica Police verified the theft and entered the Honda’s information into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack transponder concealed in the vehicle.
Minutes later, LAPD Air 16 flight officers picked up the silent LoJAck signal from the stolen Honda Pilot on the Police Tracking Computer installed in their aircraft. Following the directional and signal strength cues on the LoJack computer, the officers tracked the vehicle into the area of Franklin Avenue and Bronson. Air 16 then notified ground units in the area that the vehicle was traveling southbound on Bronson.
LAPD Hollywood officers observed the Honda pulling up to the curb in the 1700 block of Bronson and saw the lone male driver exit the vehicle. The officers converged upon the suspect and took him into custody without further incident. A witness informed the officers that she had seen the driver/suspect drive up and park. She indicated that he did not live at the location and she apparently told him he could not park there as he exited the stolen Honda. The suspect was later booked pending a felony complaint by the DDA.
The undamaged vehicle, valued at $14,000, was stored and later released to the victim.
The LoJack Vehicle Recovery System was installed in the Honda Pilot on March 9, 2006 at Santa Barbara Honda.